In May, Blue Bird issued an NHTSA recall of 441 of its model year 2010 through 2014 All American and Vision model school buses that were manufactured from August 25, 2009, through March 19, 2013, to fix Flip Seats and a separate recall to fix brake light switches that may not have been adjusted properly.
The C. E. White, Inc. Flip Seats models are Quasi Static “QSJ11” (30″, 36″, 39″ and 45″), Student Safety Seat “SSSJ” (30″, 36″, 39″ and 45″), or School Bus Seat “SBJ” (30″, 36″, 39″ and 45″). When a Flip Seat is installed in front of another passenger seat, Blue Bird said it is possible for the occupant of the rearward passenger seat to insert their toes and/or foot into the lower frame area of the Flip Seat. When a vehicle passenger occupies the Flip Seat, pushing the seat bottom downward to the horizontal position to sit in the seat, the occupant of the rearward seat could suffer a pinch point injury to their toes and/or foot.
Last month, Blue Bird began notifying owners of the issue, and dealers will install a safety guard to prevent passengers from placing their toes or feet in the opening on the back of the subject Flip Seats, free of charge. Blue Bird’s number for this campaign is R13WF.
Blue Bird said 346 of the company’s model-year 2014 Propane-Powered Visions were the subject of the brake-light switch recall. The buses were manufactured from March 11 through April 29 of this year. The company said misadjusted brake light switches may result in brake lights remaining illuminated after the brake pedal has been released or the brake lights may be delayed in illumination after the brake pedal has been depressed. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Blue Bird began notifying customers last month of the recall. Dealers are inspecting the adjustment of the brake light switch and will replace free of charge any part found not be to properly adjusted. Blue Bird’s number for this recall is R13WG.
